Commentary on Psalms - Volume 5

1Why, O Jehovah! standest thou afar off? And winkest at seasonable times in trouble?

2In his pride the ungodly doth persecute the poor; Let them be caught in the devices which they imagine.

3For praise himself doth the ungodly on account of the desire of his own soul; And the violent man blesseth himself: He despiseth Jehovah.

4The ungodly, in the pride of his countenance doth not inquire; All his devices say, “There is not a God.”

5Prosperous are his ways at all times; High are thy judgments before him; At all his enemies he puffeth.

6He saith in his heart, “I shall not be moved from generation to generation,” Because he is not in adversity,

7Of cursing his mouth is full, and of deceit, and of malice: Under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

8He will sit in the ensnaring places of the villages; In his lurking places will he murder the innocent: His eyes against the poor will take their aim.

9He will lie in wait in secret, as a lion in his den; He will lie in wait to catch the poor; He will catch the poor by drawing him into his net.

10He will crouch low, he will cast himself down; Then shall fall by his strengths an army of the afflicted.

11He hath said in his heart, “Forgotten it hath God; “He hideth his face, that he may not see it for ever.”

12Arise, O Jehovah, God! lift up thy hand: Do not forget the poor.

13Why do the wicked despise God? He saith in his heart, “Thou wilt not require it.”

14Thou hast seen it; For mischief and oppression thou considerest, That thou mayest take them into thy own hand: Upon thee shall the poor leave; To the orphan thou wilt be an helper.

15Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Thou shalt seek his wickedness, and shalt not find it.

16Jehovah is King for ever and ever; Perished are the heathen out of his land.

17The desire of the needy thou hast heard, O Jehovah! Thou wilt direct their heart; Hear shall thine car:

18That thou mayest judge the fatherless and the poor, That the man who is of earth may terrify no more.